Machine Safety Compliance
Machinery Safety Compliance Services
At Safety Systems Technology, we partner with you to navigate the complexities of machinery safety legislation. Our expertise in machine guarding, electrical safety, PUWER, and UKCA or CE marking ensures your operations are not just compliant, but also efficient and productive.
We provide a complete, engineering-led service, from initial inspection and auditing to the design, implementation, and certification of robust safeguarding measures, giving you peace of mind regarding the safety of your workforce and the full legal compliance of your operations.
Understanding the UK Machine Safety Compliance Framework
Ensuring compliance with UK machinery safety law requires understanding a clear hierarchy of legislation and standards. As experts, we guide you through every level to ensure comprehensive compliance based on three primary tiers:
The law
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 establishes the fundamental legal duty for every employer to ensure the safety of their employees. It is the overarching law under which all other workplace health and safety regulations sit.
Regulations
Specific duties are defined by legally binding regulations.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998 is fundamental and the primary legislation covering machinery in the workplace and mandates that all equipment is safe, inspected, and maintained.
It’s worth adding that PUWER compliance is the responsibility of the employer, not the equipment owner (in instances when these are not the same).
Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 (SMSR) applies to anyone placing new machines on the market. It’s important to be aware however, that existing machinery undergoing major refurbishment or modification may also fall under the regulations. Also, when machines integrated together onsite as a single system or complex assembly, SMSR applies.
Harmonised and Designated standards
Adhering to these standards is important because it grants a “presumption of conformity” with the law. This means that if you follow the technical specifications laid out in the relevant standards, it is legally assumed that you have satisfied the broader requirements of the safety regulations.
Standards are organised into a three-tier hierarchy that allows engineers to move from general safety principles to the specific technical requirements for your particular machinery.
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The hierarchical structure of standards
Type-A standards:
These establish the fundamental design principles and basic risk assessment requirements that apply universally across all categories of machinery.
Type-B standards:
These address specific safety aspects or safeguards applicable across a wide range of machine types. They cover the general principles for design of guarding, interlocking and control systems.
Type-C standards:
Type-C standards are highly specific, providing detailed requirements for a particular machine, such as a press or packaging machine. Where a Type-C standard exists, its requirements take precedence over Type-A or Type-B standards.
Type-B (specific safety aspects such as guarding or control systems), and Type-C (detailed requirements for a particular machine) standards.
Furthermore, even if a machine is fully compliant with the SMSR, a business is expected to carry out a PUWER assessment when the machinery is installed since the regulations do not cover the installation and setup specific to how it will be used in given situation or location.
Our Services
SST provides a structured, engineering-led approach to managing your entire machinery safety process. We offer a comprehensive, end-to-end service designed to identify and overcome any gaps in compliance.
- PUWER assessments: PUWER 1998 represents the fundamental legal framework governing the safety of all equipment used in UK workplaces. Our engineers act as the “competent person” required by law, possessing the necessary technical knowledge, training and experience to ensure your equipment is safe and compliant.
- UKCA and CE marking: We are licensed to inspect and provide certification for new machinery or significant modifications. We ensure equipment manufacturers or owners meet all legal requirements under the SMSR before machinery is placed on the market or put into service.
- Electrical safety testing (EN 60204-1): We conduct rigorous testing of machinery electrical systems to verify the safety of control panels and installations. This technical verification is a significant part of ensuring the reliability of safety-related control systems.
- ESPE/AOPD stop-time testing: For equipment using light curtains (ESPE) or laser scanners (AOPD), we conduct precise on-site stop-time measurements. This technical verification confirms that safeguards are positioned at a safe distance from hazards in line with EN ISO 13855, ensuring the machine stops before a person can reach a dangerous area.
Specialised Engineering Services
Beyond core compliance frameworks, we offer targeted engineering services to identify and overcome specific operational safety gaps.
Our technical engineering services provide the detailed verification and practical solutions required to support and enable positive compliance. We ensure your machinery is not only legal but also optimised for safety and performance.
- Functional safety validation: Our engineers validate your safety-related control systems (EN 13849/EN 62061). We determine the achieved Performance Level (PL) to ensure the absolute reliability of safety functions such as emergency stops and interlocks.
- Interlocking devices and integration: We design and install interlocking systems to prevent hazardous machine operation when guards are open. This service includes integrating appropriate interlocking devices into the machine’s safety control system to ensure fail-safe performance.
- Guarding design, manufacture, and installation: SST provides a comprehensive service for the bespoke design, manufacture, and physical installation of practical and compliant machine guarding solutions. We manage the seamless integration of safety-related control systems with your existing machinery.
- Pedestrian and vehicle barrier systems: We design and install pedestrian and vehicle barrier systems compliant with BSI PAS 13:2017 and HSE INDG199 guidance. This ensures clear segregation and protection in busy operational areas.
Why Compliance is Important
As well as ensuring the safety of machine operators and other relevant personnel, investing in high-quality, well-designed safety systems is a direct investment in operational performance. Businesses that move beyond the regulatory minimum see tangible benefits:
- Greater uptime and reliability: Proactively identifying and rectifying wear on safety components prevents future failures and costly, unplanned production halts.
- Enhanced asset lifespan: Proper maintenance and system checks ensure that capital equipment lasts longer, maximising the return on investment.
- Positive safety culture: Consulting operators in the guarding design process leads to a dramatic reduction in bypass incidents because the solutions are practical and understood.
Secure your compliance today
To ensure your machinery guarding and electrical systems are fully compliant and optimised for performance, contact our expert engineering team today for a no-obligation survey and PUWER risk assessment.
Get in touch with us today to ask for a no obligation survey